Smith named new football coach at Bellefontaine (Audio included)

2/1/2013 4:54:31 AM

By Bill Tipple

Bellefontaine City Schools didn't have to look too far for their next head football coach.

Toby Smith (pictured), who guided the West Liberty-Salem program for the last fourteen years, will be trading in his orange and black for red and black. He was hired by the Bellefontaine School Board during a special meeting Friday morning at the board office. Smith will teach physical education at the high school.

Smith catapulted to the top of the list of applicants with a resume that includes seven playoff appearances over the last nine seasons. He turned West Liberty-Salem into the dominant school in the Ohio Heritage Conference. His record at WLS was 111-40, including four 10-0 seasons. The Tigers are in the midst of a 24-game regular season winning streak.

Smith found the Bellefontaine job attractive because of its skilled athletes. He's looking forward to the challenge of competing in a larger division, too.

Listen to an in-depth interview with the new Bellefontaine coach.

Bellefontaine Superintendent Beth Harman was thrilled with the hire.

Listen to her reaction.

Smith replaces Chris Schmidt, who led the Chiefs for the past three years.

In mid December, the administration decided against renewing Schmidt's contract.